Ian Wells brace seals points.

HOLWELL SPORTS 3 BORROWASH VICTORIA 2

It was desperate stuff at times, as Holwell hung on against slick opponents, but the result and resolve shown should add enormous momentum to their league campaign.

Holwell were indebted to their reserves side with Aaron Ridout and Kieran Foster missing at the back and Chris Hibbitt and playmaker Michael Stevenson absent from midfield.

Dean Randall and Tom Morgan, back after eight weeks out with a hamstring injury, were drafted into defence, while Ian Wells deputised for Stevenson and Chapman came in on the left flank.

Borrowash dominated midfield in the first half and created chances with sharp, snappy passing. Banks glanced a good chance wide before Ian Bitmead, adding steel to Holwell’s back line when required, made a crucial well-timed sliding challenge and keeper Richard Cragg steered Leighton’s shot around the post.

Scott Mooney fired Holwell’s only shot in anger in the opening half-hour when a fierce low drive fizzed past the post, but the hosts went ahead against the run of play from the penalty spot 10 minutes before half-time.

Jay Kirkby’s persistence prevented a throw-in yards inside Holwell’s half and he sent Mooney away down the right. The Holwell striker cut into the box and was brought down from behind by Campbell. The referee waved away Borrowash protests and skipper Dom Hallows’ precise spot kick found the left corner.

The rejuvenated hosts produced their best move of the half, started and almost finished by Kirkby who burst into the box to receive Ben Smedley’s pass, but Borrowash’s defence recovered well.

Holwell started the second half brightly, Kirkby just failing to connect with Chapman’s cutback and Mooney’s first-time shot forcing a decent save from Smith.

But Borrowash levelled after eight minutes, Hind prodding home after Holwell failed to snuff out danger from the right.

Hind’s pace was a constant threat and when he burst down the right and beat Stuart Rose, Cragg did well to pressure the winger’s shot. Cragg then tipped over Thompson’s 20-yard drive from Hind’s run and cross.

Holwell were on the ropes, but on 65 minutes were back in front in stunning fashion. After a good counter from Chapman, Kirkby and Mooney, Smedley won a free kick 25 yards out and Wells caught Borrowash napping, curling a brilliant effort into the top left corner.

Borrowash midfielder Harrison somehow hit the bar from five yards when faced with an open goal, but with 20 minutes left it was 2-2 when the ball pinged off a Holwell defender into the path of Hind whose fine shot on the run found the right corner.

Smith clawed Smedley’s fine effort over, but three minutes after the equaliser, Holwell went ahead for the third time when the ball ran to Wells who placed a first-time shot from 25 yards low inside the right post.

The final 10 minutes saw Borrowash pour forward as Rose cleared off the line and Morgan’s brilliant last-ditch tackle denied Hind. But Holwell were indebted to Cragg whose superb reaction save two minutes from time diverted Banks’ close-range shot on to the bar.

Holwell: R. Cragg, D. Randall, D. Hallows (c), T. Morgan, S. Rose, I. Bitmead, B. Smedley, I. Wells, J. Kirkby, S. Mooney, L. Chapman. Subs (not used): W. Booth, T. Barnard, L. Fray, M. Clements, G. Keast.